the fiscal cliff? and you think that just the promise of spending cuts have to be included at this level and at this time? >> it is not productive for either side to lay out hard lines as for what size the spending cuts ought to be. there are a lot of options on how you can get there. but the second part of your question was? >> my question is do you think the promise of spending cuts has to be included in the deal that averts the fiscal cliff? >> there is a free-market we presented to the white house two weeks ago. the framework has been agreed to in terms of a down payment for the end of this year. that would include spending cuts and it would include revenue. setting up a process for entitlement reform next year and tax reform next year. but this is way out of bounds. and not a recognition by the part of the white house on the serious spending problem we have. >> facing the prospect of going over the fiscal cliff or extending the lower tax rate and at the upper one, which would you choose? >> i will